In all, through its “extra-programme” activities the Secretariat is producing considerable added value to the wider cross-border cooperation and gains insights that strengthens its own capacities as a competence centre. This, however, has so far not been quantified in terms of man hours contributed in a systematic way. Such quantification would have to be tentative.
4.3 Results This section shows to what extent the objectives for the three-year period been achieved during 2018 and 2019, and to what extent they are in line with the overall objectives set by the MFA. This includes the results of the individual projects and the impact they have on participating organisations as well as multiplier effects at local, regional, national or international levels. The outline of the section follows the framework outlined in 2.1 above. 4.3.1
Inputs
Inputs are the “intervention”, the initial activities, that are funded because they are expected to lead towards the fulfilment of the programme’s primary objectives. In our case this is mutual trust and people-to-people cooperation between Norway and Russia in the North. Scope To minimize legal and economic complications, only Norwegian partners are allowed to apply. Individual grants over 400 000 NOK are submitted to the Board for approval. In 2018, 103 projects for a total sum of 14 507 million NOK were granted under the Barents Secretariat’s Grant Programme. In addition, 27 projects were funded under BarentsKult. In all 283 applications were processed, of which 203 by the Barents Secretariat and 40 by the Board (because they amounted to 400 000 NOK or more). Among the 283 applications, 40 were under BarentsKult. In 2019, 146 projects for a total sum of 23 535 900 NOK were funded. In addition, 27 projects under BarentsKult. The Barents Secretariat received 283 applications, of which 40 to BarentsKult. In 2019, 19 project applications were sent to the Board for approval. The percentage of applications that were approved went from 33 per cent in 2018 to 66 per cent in 2019. The latter year’s percentage of approval is closer to the ordinary. The dip in 2018 is due to a change in MFA’s allocation practices. Until 2018, allocation letters were for three years, which allowed for granting funds over the calendar year. As a result, funds that were allocated for specific projects in 2017 by the Barents Secretariat were deducted from the 2018 allocation. There is an average of four complaints annually from applicants. The MFA serves as administrative appeal body in these cases. Complaints come from applicants who have used to have their applications approved and from applicants whose activities do not fall under the criteria, e.g. by being too close to research activities.
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